154 
L55 
opv 1 





^ 






X /'''^^ 



MEMORIAL 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE SENATE 



UPON THE DEATH OF 



HON. JOHN A. LEMON, 

LATE A SENATOR FROM THE THIRTY-FIFTH DISTRICT 



PENNSYLVANIA. 



CI.ARENCE M. BUSCH, 

STATE PRINTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

1897. 




L 5S 






RESOLUTION. 



In the Senate, February 24, 1897. 
Resolved (if the House of Representatives concur), That fif- 
teen hundred copies of the memorial proceedings of the Senate 
upon the death of Hon. John A. Lemon, late a member of the 
Senate from the Thirty-fifth Senatorial District, be piinted 
and bound in cloth for the use of the Senate. 

E. W. SMILEY. 
Chief Clerk of the Senate. 

The foregoing resolution concui'red in March 1. 1897. 

JERE B. REX, 
Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives. 

Approved— The 2d day of March, A. D.. 1897. 

D.\NIEL H. HASTINGS. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE SENATE 



UPON THE DEATH OF 



HON. JOHN A. LEMON. 



In the Senate, 
Wednesday, Jannary 6, 1897. 

On motion of Senator Stineman, the following 
resolution was twice read, considered and agreed 
to: 

Whereas, Since the last session of the Legisla- 
ture it has pleased Almighty God, the dispenser 
of all things, to call from our midst the Hon. 
John A. Lemon, the member of this body from 
the Thirty-fifth Senatorial District, composed of 
the counties of Blair and Cambria; and 

Whereas, Senator Lemon was known in life 
as a dutiful son, an affectionate brother, a loving 
husband, an indulgent father, a charitable neigh- 
bor, a true friend, a patriotic citizen and an hon- 
est, capable and faithful public official; therefore, 
be it 

Kesolved, Tliat we heartily sympathize with the 



G Mt'inoriiil ResoInfions and AJJiesses. 

iiiiiiicdinic icIiiiiM'S ;iii<l rriciuls of the <U'ceased, 
the (■oniiiiiiiiii V ill w liicli he lived, the district so 
well ;iii(l lidiKiijihl V i-cpi-eseiiled iu this Seuate, aud 
I he Siaie he so laiihriillv ami houestl.y served in 
jmhlic ullicc, oil the loss mutually sustained by all. 
L'esolved, Thai a eouiiuittee of tive be appointed 
to repoii suitable I'esolutions expressive of the 
sense of the Senate upon the death of the Hon. 
.Tcdiii A. L 'iiioii. Senator fi-oiii the 'rhii'ly-tift h dis- 
trict. 



Ho)i. John A. Lemon 



MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS AND 
ADDRESSES. 



In the Senate, 
Wednesday, February 24, 1897. 

AFTERNOON SESSION. 

The Presiflent pro tempore Mr. ^LcCarrell in the 
chair. 

Agreeably to order the Senate convened in spe- 
cial session at three o'clock post meridian to con- 
sider resolutions in memory of the death of Hon. 
John A. Lemon, dceased, late a member of this 
Senate from the Thirty-fifth district. 

PRATER. 

Prayer was offered hy the Chaplain, Rev. Wil- 
liam A. West, D. D., as follows: 

Great God, our heavenly Father, under circum- 
stances peculiarly solemn and impressive are Ave 
assembled tliis afternoon. In Thine inscrutaible 
providence Thou hast seen fit to remove, by the 
hand of Death, one of our number. We desire tO' 
bow before Thee with a spirit of resignation and 
submissiveness to Thy holy will, saying, even so 
Father, for so it hath seemed good in Thy sight. 
Though now, as ofttiuies. Thy way is in the sea 



Meuioridl Ri'soliifiofis and Addresses. 



;iii(l Tliv |);itli ill I he ui'cjil waters and Tliy loot- 
sU'ps are 111)1 known, we can rest and tind conifort 
in the assnrance that they are all ordered with 
inlinite wis(h)ni and goodness and love. 

AVe praise Thee for the character and life of our 
deceased brother; for the inte.iiritv and ninii^hl- 
ness which marked jiis public career; for his |j:,en- 
tle and fiieiidly, vet manly spirit as he ]nin<>ied 
with his fellow Senators; for his domestic virtnes 
ami linltils wliicli made lniuhi and lia])py liis 
home; for llit^ noble and L:,('nerons nature \\ liii li 
])rom]>te(l 1o words of sym])at hy an<l deeds (»f kind- 
ness wJK rcNcr wanl or dislress was r(»iiiid anions' 
his f(dh»A\' men. 

And no\\', thai lie has been lal<eii hence, ^^•e pray 
thai his maiilh' may rest on tliest' Thy ser\ants, 
his f(dlow Senators. Admonished, as they are, of 
the shortness and uncertainly of life, may they 
stand in their lot, seekinii to know and to do W(dl 
that whi«di shall be aiifeeable to Thy will ami itro- 
moti\'e <»f t he best interests of our ( 'ommonweall li. 

And do Thou be jdeased t(» let Thy rich biessini;' 
rest on the bereaved ones in the home. Miidster 
nnto (liem abntidantly of that comf(n-t and conso- 
lation w iiich Thou alone canst im])art. May tlH\Y 
lean on llie covenant keeping (rod, who i)ities 
those who fear him, like as a father idtieth his 
chihlreii, and may I hey lind him their refuse and 
streiiiilh, a pi-escnl help in tronble. And may the 
Ui-acious Sa\ior, who hath redeemed ns with His 
(»wn precious bh»od, and hath broiiiiht life and im- 
morlality lo lii;hl, be Nciy near to them as their 
lovinii', synipalhizinu friend and brother. In His 



Hon. John A. Lemon. 



name we crave these blessings, with the pardon of 
our sins; to wliom, with Thee, the Father and tlie 
Holy Spirit be present and everlasting praise. 
Amen. 

Senator Stineman, from the special committee 
appointed to prepare resolutions expressive of the 
sentiment of the Senate relative to the death 
of Honorable John A. Lemon, late a mem- 
ber of the Senate from the Thirty-fifth district, 
presented the folloAving resolutions, viz: 

RESOLUTIONS. 

Resolved, That the Senate profoundly regrets 
the death of Hon. John A. Lemon, late a member 
of this body, and extends to the family of the 
deceased Senator sincere condolence in their be- 
reavement. 

Resolved, That we are deeply conscious of the 
loss sustained by his death and desire to bear 
witness to his sterling worth as a man, his integ- 
rity and ability as a legislator and his courtesy 
and fidelity towards those with whom he was asso- 
ciated. 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, with 
the action of the Senate thereon, be forwarded to 
tlie family of the deceased by the Clerk of the 
Senate, and that as a further tribute of the 
respect to his memory the Senate do now adjourn. 

J. C. STINEMAN, 
J. P. S. GOBIN, 
JACOB GROUSE, 
JNO. C. GRADY, 
HARRY G. STILES, 

Committee. 



10 Memorial Resolutions and Addresses. 



ADDRESSES. 

SiMiatoi- r.ohiu. -Mr. ricsiiU'iit and Seuators: 
\\\wn called upon to liivc our cstiuuiTe of a friend 
who lias lilliMJ (lie full nieasuiv of his days, aud 
joined the ^i-eat niaj(uily beyond, there is nothing 
so alTeclinii- as the retleclion of our own personal 
loss. We recoiiuize the absence from our own ini- 
iiie(jiate circle of oui- associate one lo whom we 
were attached by the stron<:,-esl bonds of friend- 
shij) — ami realize^ that it is forever. His ])lace in 
State and communily may nay, will be Hlled by 
others, but in our hearts the vacancy is never 
tilled — the void created remains durino; our alloted 
period of life. 

When, after an associatbui (»f years, we recall 
the jiTeat nund)er of those who occui)ied this posi- 
tion in our lives, and conjure up from memory's 
deep recesses the niaidy lorm, kindly heart, and 
generous imi»ulses of such a man as Senaitor 
Lemon, it is dihicnll to fianie in cobl words the 
emotions of the heart and give utterance to what 
^^■ould d(» justice to him and show onr ai)precia- 
tion of him. The ])ublic life of Senator Lemon is 
part of the history of the State. As Auditor Gen- 
eral and as a Senator at different times, he Avas 
ever faithful and true. Devoted to the interests 
of his con si it u cuts and i he ( 'onim on wealth, no act 
of his ex'ei' betrayed the conhdences of the one or 
failed to maintain the dignity and well being of 
the (it her. A paitisaii he was, but one of convic- 
tion, who believed the success of the princi])les of 
the ixditical ])arty he es[M)Used were essential to 



Hon. John A. Lemon. 11 



the best interests of the State and Nation, and thus 
convinced, he never wavered in his advocacy of 
them. Political opponents may have, doubtless 
did, disagree with him, but they never questioned 
his sincerity nor failed to appreciate his ability or 
courage in maintaining them. A leader in his 
section, his friends and opponents never failed to* 
find him fair and honorable, but withal possessed 
of those attributes which won their hearts and 
commanded their highest measure of respect. 
But while men may and do exist for a time in the 
glare of publicity, it is in the daily life at home 
that the correct measure is taken. In the con- 
fined limits of the community who know him as 
one of themselves, the proper estimate of the man 
is formed. What epitaph is equal to that which 
was published of Senator Lemon by the paper of 
his town after his death? Listen: "In his death 
this town loses one of the most generous hearted 
men that ever lived within its borders. His name 
at all times being connected with charitable and 
generous acts. Whilst the entire community 
mourns his death, there are hundreds who have 
been the recipients of his bounty who will feel 
most keenly the loss of a true and tried friend. 

Senator Lemon was undoubtedly the most pop- 
ular man of this section of the State, not only in 
his official capacity, but also as a citizen and a 
friend. He was a man of the people, never posed 
as a representative of the classes, but rather as 
a friend of the masses, and this happy faculty led 
his constituents throughout the district to bestow 
upon him the title of 'Uncle John.' '" 



12 Memorial Resolutions and Addresses. 



Yes, "Uuc'le Johu;" those who knew him best 
ami loved hiiii most fomlly, gave him this title of 
endearment and Avel(ome<l him to their hearts, as 
thoii-li he were of Ilicir own blood. lie needs no 
oilier encomium, and all the honor our laudatory 
words could bestow upon him is insignificant, as 
c(»iii|»ai-e(l will) this home tribute. 

J>oi-n and reared upon the top of the Alleglie- 
uies, his nature partook of the surroundings. 
IJugged in form, but gentle as a child, plain in 
manner and slow of speech. He never disap- 
pointed a friend or broke a promise. As in stat- 
ure he Avas massive, so in mind; his instincts were 
ahvays above the sordid or deceptive. He was 
essentially the architect and director of his own 
foiiuiic, and had he enjoyed the advantages of 
many, imagination alone can fix upon the limits 
of his success. A I'ennsylvanian by birth and res- 
idence, liis entire life was spent within her boi"- 
ders, and our fair Stale had no son who loved 
more dearly or sought more earnestly to serve her 
faithfully. Who does not recall him as he moved 
about, one of us, with a kind word for all, inca])a- 
ble of ott'ense. It seems but yesterday that we 
bade him good-by in the closing hours of the last 
session, and the kindly return of his greetings, 
ovei-tlowing with affection, will ever linger with 
us as one of those bright e])ochs that make life 
brighter and men better. 

In the (]uiet village cemeleiy his remains re- 
pose. 11 is presence amongst us is but a pleas- 
ant meinoiy. His genial smile, his hearty gras]) 
of the hand, his co-npeiatian with us, we will 



Hon. John A. Lemon. 13 

ever clierisli as mementos upon which we love to 
dwell. 

In the fnll measnre of bis days he has been 
called to that higher life, and we are assured tbat 
in that House of many mansions, one whose life 
was spent in doing good, in generous acts, whose 
heart was ever open to tlie appeals of the unfortu- 
nate, will receive the reward of the Master, who 
has said "Inasmucb as ye have done it unto one 
of the least, of these ye liave done it unto me." 

Senator Grouse. Mr. President, it is fitting tbat 
I should add my tribute of respect to the memory 
of the late Senator John Lemon. When I first 
came into this Senate twenty-two years ago, I met 
Senator Lemon and served with him during the 
session of one tliousand eight hundred and sev- 
enty-five and one thouisiand eight hundred and sev- 
enty-six, and I remember on my return to this 
body in one thousand eight hundred and eighty- 
nin(^, how he grasped my hand and gave me a 
hearty welcome. I learned from my earliest ac- 
(juaintance with Senator Lemon not only to re- 
spect liiin, but I bore towards him a friendship 
that existed until liis death. 

As a Senator he was not given to much talking; 
that was an accomplishment he often told me he 
coubl not ac(iuir(\; nor did he seem to have any 
taste for it. His inHuence was felt and impres- 
sion made in that quiet and unostentatious man- 
ner that denotes more of a desire to have the deed 
efficiently done, than to have it heralded. 

Mr. President, Senator John Lemon was pos- 
sessed of many sterling traits of character, but 
those traits did not lie on the surface. He did 



11 Mc'iHorid/ Resolutions and Addresses. 

not wc'Jir liis heart \\\)i)\\ his sU'cm- loi- <hi\vs to 
peck at. Hut its rich treasures were i»oure(l out 
for its fi'ieuds iu uo stiuted measure, lie was a 
positive man, lixcd and settled iu liis opiuious — 
iinuiovable iu his couvictious. His atiachuicuts 
were warm, sh»\v iu I'ormiuii, hut when ouce 
formed, no (udiuary shock coul<l chill or sunder 
them. He could always be relied ou as a lirm sup- 
porter of tlie interests of his friends. He repre- 
sented his constitueucv faithfully and wcdl. Ilis 
judgment was good, his attendance c<uistant, and 
he lias done the State considerable sei-vice, not 
only as a member of this body, but as the Auditor 
General. He was a kind-hearted man, unasked 
and unsolicited extending to those in whose com- 
panionship he was thrown those continual little 
courtesies thai diaw towards the giver ihe affec- 
tionate consideration of the high and humble 
alike. As (me of a committee of this body I at- 
tended the funeral of Senator Lemon and was very 
muck impressed with the esteem in which lie Avas 
held by his neighbors in HoUidaysburg. Almost 
ever}^ place of business was closed during the 
funeral ceremonies. Over the grave of this man 
Avere shed tears of his humble and lowly neigh- 
bors, because his had been the hand of charity 
and not of bribes. To this man who in life had 
acquired position and honor, Avho liad made 
friends by chai-ity ami kindness, there came in 
death voluntarily all the honors which the gi-eat 
State that lu^ had served could bestow. The tears, 
the mourning, and the love <d" his constituents, 
the floral olTeiiugs wm] the regrets of his friends, 



Hon. John A. Lemon. 15 



the piiiises of bis enemies, aucl the esteem of all 
—and tell me, fellow Senators, are not these all 
the reward on earth of a well spent life? The 
universal acclaim of "Well done, thou good and 
faithful servant!'' 

Senator Stiles. Mr. President, I desire to say 
a few words in testimony of my regard and respect 
for the dead Senator. 

It was not my privilege to know Senator Lemon 
until 1 bei-ame a member of this body a little over 
two years ago. 

Others better (lualified than myself have spoken 
of his career from boyhood to its sad close, have 
told the stories of his struggles, his trials and 
successes. 

The voices of his associates here and elsewhere 
who were bound to him by ties of affection, who 
honored him for his manliness, his quiet, unyield- 
ing persistence, have been heard in generous en- 
logy of his strong, well rounded, admirable char- 
acter. 

Free from seltish ambition or personal resent- 
ment, he was loved by every true man with whom 
he was thrown in contact. 

Genial and unpretending, he had a face and a 
manner which inspired confidence and secured 
good will. Eisiug above the politician, he was a 
statesman above reproach from partisan or op- 
ponent — a pride to the county of Blair, one whom 
in life she "delighted to honor,'' and in death she 
will not forget. 

Mr. President, I need not say more, ^line is 
but the tribute of a word. Our friend is gone 



16 Memorial Resolutions and AJdresses. 

uever to iciuiii. lie lias escaped from the conten- 
tions and aiilaiionisiiis <»f this worhl and entered 
npon a oetter and liiiilier life. 

Senaloi- M((^)u(>wn. Mr. i'residenl, 1 rise in my 
place as a neighbor of the deceased, to contrilnite 
a word to his memory. I am not prompted to 
thns speak from a desire to be heard by those as- 
sembled in this chamber to-day, but from the deep 
convictions of my heart. 

Neither do I rise to speak, on this occasion, be- 
canse (d' my h)ng association willi the deceased in 
pnblic life, but IxM-ause of luy ]>rofound admira- 
tion for him as a uiau, a neighb(»r and a trne 
friend. 

Ivesiding, as I do, only a few miles from his 
former home, and in a town where members of 
Ins fauiily uow reside, I should consider myself 
<ler(dict in duly did T not say a word dnring the 
course of these nu'iuorial jn'oceedings. 

I had tile ]d('asui-c of Senator Lemon's ac(]uaint- 
ance some years prior to my admission as a mem- 
ber of this body, and knew nincli of his l)enevo- 
l('nc(>, which was a leading (diaractcristic of his 
life. On more than one occasion I had o])i)ortn- 
nity to measui-e his syni[)athy and pass judgment 
npon his sujx'riority as a man. While others to- 
day have extolled his uiany virtues, and perhaps 
no memorial sci-vice was ever held in the Senate 
chamber that presented a more excellent charac- 
ter for enlogy and praise than his, T desire to 
call attenti(Mi simi)ly to those virtnes that made 
him the idol of his faniih^, the hero in adversity 



Hon. John A. Lemon. 17 

and a successful leader of nieu. They were these 
three: 

A S3 mpathetic frieud of labor. 

lutegrity. 

Benevolence. 

That he paid the highest premium ui)on labor is 
proven by the fact that he himself wa^ a laborer. 

Of his many virtues, his love for the humble in 
life shone out as a rich diadem in his character. 
Prior to his entering public life I knew him as a 
contractor, and with hundreds of men in his em- 
ploy, he shared their hardships, joined them in 
storm and in sunshine and encouraged them to 
good behavior by his constant presence and sym- 
pathy. 

It is too common in this advanced age of ours, 
for the superintendents of labor to be arrogant, 
domineering and mean towards their employes. 

Our deceased brother taught the opposite of 
this principle and ruled his men with kindness in- 
stead of tyranny and with sympathy instead of 
censure. 

Many of the Senators in this chamber to-day, 
remember that sad eighteenth day of September, 
one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five, when 
all that was mortal of our fellow Senator was 
laid to rest. AVe remember when the funeral cor- 
tege passed through the streets of Ilollidaysburg, 
how the laborers from the shops, from the fac- 
tories and the farm, filled the streets and with 
bo\Aed heads and moistened eyes, remained uncov- 
ered until the long procession passed by. What 



18 



Meiiioiial Resolutions aiui AJJi esses. 



n(»I)lcr tribute could lie paid to tlu' nu'iuoiy ul" a 
mail? \\'lia( iiiiiiici- distiiKtiou to llic cliaractcr 
of t lie deceased (niilil have been shown than this? 

i iich' .l(»hii I.eiiion was a man (d" nnswervini;- 
inleuiity an<l was always actuated by nndives of 
honesty in his i-idalions with men. lie had a keen 
iialred Idi- tile "shoddy"' in liCe and I'oi- ti/ichery 
in men, w h tlM i- in ludilics or in business. 

(Ji'oss and iiii|tiiii' natures, liowe\'ei* decoi-aled, 
1o him wefe iiii]»iii<' shambles. On one occasion 1 
heard him icniark that \M' could not disiiuise the 
fact but that honesty i^ave splendor to youth and 
awe to wrinkled skin ami iiray hairs, tlins sliow- 
\\\\X 'hat he ne\'er oxcrlooked this important ele- 
ment in t he cliara<tei- of men. 

( M' his beiie\ (dence, \"olunies might be written. 
Xo man excr eulogized his character withont re- 
ferring to his (diarity and sympatliy I'oi- the nn- 
fortnnate. His jtatlis wei-e chosen in the wallis of 
common life, lie extended his great arms of 
(diaiity to all. He possessed a gentle respect and 
deference whi(di manifest themselves as the un- 
bonght grace of life and are the che ij) detVnse of 
mankiml. lie had the polished bow (d' a gentle- 
man for all ladies, a kiss for all children and a 
shake of the hand for all men, whethei- residing in 
the palaces of the rich or the hovels of the ]>i>or. 

lie showed us Heaven's sun shining every day 
on (|uiet honn^s. ]\rany there are to-day who can 
testify to sliaring in many a feast of love and 
kindness, anIiIcIi his generous and chaiilable na- 
tnre contiibiit ed towaids removing the shadows 
(d' their li\('s. 



Hon. John A. Lemon. 19 



At \\w close of his ])eiu-et'ul careei-, wlieu the 
monster of <h^ath fastened itself npon his frame, 
and he knew he had to depait, inijj;ht he not, like 
Edward Everett, have said in tlie language of 
seiii'tnre: '^\Miat could have been done more to 
my vineyard that I have not done in it?" 

llis life Avas one that we should strive to emu- 
late, so that wlien the ''wheel of action stands still 
in th(^ exhausted cistern of our lives, may we lie 
down in the light of that faith which makes so 
beautiful the face of the dying and which has. 
converted death's ghastly silence into a peaceful 
sleep. Ma}' we rise to a holier and more visible 
communing, in the land without a sin and without 
a tear, where the dead shall be closer to us than 
in this life, where not the apparition of a shadow 
or a doubt shall come between," 

Senator Osbourn. Mr. President, I feel this af- 
ternoon that all has been said in eulogy of our 
most esteemed friend wliicli can be of the late Sen- 
ator Lemon. I but repeat what has been said 
here by my colleague, Senator (/rouse, and by 
many others, of the personal welcome which Sen- 
ator Lemon extended to the newly elected Sena- 
tors, the young men who came in here as novices 
and who needed some one to take them by the 
hand, some one to encourage them in their new 
career. Uncle John Lemon ahvays did this and 
he was the first to stretch out tlie warm, generous 
vigorous gras]) to welcome the young men in their 
new sphere of action. These are my recollections, 
and I know them to be the earnest sentiments of 
every member of this body. I do not wish to pro- 



20 Mi'iiioiij/ Resolutions and Addresses. 

Idiiu tlicsc pidcccdiiius more because you liave 
lieani in such ('l(»(|iu'ut aud i;rai>lii<' lauiiuaiie all 
that can he uKered of the <-aieei- aud of the uoble 
dial a del- of one of t he most hi\ ahh- men uiio ever 
(H-euiiied a seal iu the Senate of i'euiisyh aula. I 
lieartily eudoi'se tlie resolutious. 

^^euator Kauffmaii. Mr. Presicleut, the Senate 
lui'us asi(h' from its usual |»ublic duties that it 
may phice in its official record a tribute to the 
memory of a citizen who tilled liigh public stations 
for many years. I shall not undertake to describe 
the life aud ( haracter and services of Mr, John A. 
Lemou. I'ew men, very few men, ever possessed 
such will, such honesty, in one word, such man- 
hood. Our State rejoices that he was lu'r son. 
It is an honor to any man, it is an honor to ^Ir. 
John A. Lemon, to say, that in the Senate where 
sal so many brainy men ''he stood (Mpial in favor 
and in i>owei', iu ])arty control, and he fairly di- 
vided with them the power and responsibility of 
i»e])ubliean leadershij).'' 

There wei*e nuMi iu the Senate of commanding" 
eloquence and gi-eat jtower in debate, but ]Mi-. -bdin 
A, l^enion did lu^t excid in either id" these more 
atti-active lields. lie was a man of affairs — one 
of those clear headed, constructive and able busi- 
ness managers wlu)se ])ersistent industry, com- 
prehensive grasp of details and ]M)W('r to marshal 
them for practical results, made him invaluable 
in committee where legislation is i)erfected, and 
all important nu^asures are prepared. Tlu' people 
rarely know the debt they owe to the careful, iilod- 
diug, alei't Senators, who, ceaselesslv w(u-king in 



Hon. John A. Lemon. 21 

committee rooms, with uo reporters to liertikl their 
achievements and no phice in the Legislative 
Kecord for their work, detect frauds, mould crud- 
ities into laws, and develop the hidden meaning 
and deep laid schemes of skillful and deceptive 
amendments, ascertain the needs of government, 
and devise the laws for meeting them. There are 
always two classes of Senators — the leaders who 
organize the forces, and by speeches profound or 
magnetic, give opinions to their party, and edu- 
cate the country to its views; and the able and 
conscientious committeeman and watchful mem- 
ber. 

Mr. Lemon was an ideal Senator of the second 
type, with some of the qualities of the first. He 
mastered his subject so thoroughly and under- 
stood so well the causes and effects of pending 
issues, that his calm and lucid statements made 
him upon tlie floor a strong ally and dangerous 
enemy. His touch and look conveyed, if he 
pleai-ed, such a world of interest and reg\u'd, that 
the recii:>ieut, without knowing why, felt honored 
by his confidence, and encircled by his friendship. 
We can all stand beside the grave of Mr. John A. 
Lemon and mourn the loss of one who, in his day 
and generation, acted so well his part as a private 
citizen and public officer, that the Comnuuiwealth 
and the country were enriched by his example, 
his character and his work. His virtues and ex- 
amples are wor-thy to be emulated by all citizens. 
His life has not been in vain. His march now on 
the eternal track of time is in our advance. He 
has joined, as we, too, must, the innumerable hosts 
of mankind yone before. 



22 



Mt'iiiorici/ Reso/i/fioiis and Addresses. 



Siuiic oil.- ii;is 1;( nnliriilly said, "The siiii scis in 
lliL' tar wcsi and we call il iii.i:lii. Tlic iii^lil lias 
come, bill I liroiiulioiil its hiiiu walrlics I he ^od 
(d' day tliioxNs back his r(d iiluciicc upon ilic stars, 
and his liuhl is ctcriia!."" It is so (d' a lile like 
that (d' Mr. doliii A. L(nion. They hcai- his body 
t<t the tomb, lint I h('_\ bnry not his memory, ihey 
l:nry nut his reor.l, his exani[)le. They will re- 
main to ns lustrous as the sihci* stars (d' the nitilit, 
that ne\rr permit daid;ness to come upon the 
earth, and so will the love for him be (heiished 
by those \\\\{) hear the story of his life; he will b<' 
as the bright star of the night, eternal in 
the sweet memories of Pennsyl \ania, and while 
the riiiiiicd ( lilTs of his mountain home shall stand 
sentimds .ironml his tomb, wherever there shall 
be the altars and worshi[)ers of humanity, there 
will b(^ the lovers and woishi])er« of the nimnory 
of John A. Lemon. 

Scnatoi- Slineman. .Mr. President, a sad duty 
dex'oh'es ii]H>n nu' Ihu.s early in my career as a 
member of your Intnorable body, a duty which T 
fe(d 1 am jHtoily (jualitied to disidiariic It is a 
duty of jmatitude and of jnstice from the constit- 
nents whom I re])resent, and from mys(df ]H'rson- 
ally to the menioiy of one \\(dl known to the mem- 
bers of the Senate and to the i>e(»]»le of the (Nmi- 
nionwealth — the late Senator John A. Lemon, my 
immediate and worthy ju-edeceSKSor. 

John A. Lemon was liorn at the Summit, Cam- 
bria county, Auiiust twenty-sixth, oiu' tlnmsand 
eiiiht Inindicd and twenty-seven. His death oc- 
curred at Ilollid lysluiiu, l*n., Se|»Iember six- 



Hon. John A. Lemon. 23 



teeutli, one thousand eight hnndred and ninety- 
five, being in his sixty-ninth year. His great^ 
grandfather and great-grandmother on his pater- 
nal side, Neal Lemon and Margaret Lemon, were 
born in county Tyrone, Ireland, to whom were 
born one sou and two daughters. Their son John, 
grandfather of Senator Lemon, emigrated to the 
United States of America, locating in what is now 
Huntingdon county, Pa., where Samuel Lemon, 
the father of John A. Lemon, w^as born. 

Senator Lemon's mother was a daughter of Rob- 
ert INIoore, of Scotland, who also came to this 
country when a young man, and married Elizabeth 
Bell, of Manor Hill, Huntingdon county. Jean 
Moore was the maiden name of John A. Lemon's 
mother. 

Samuel Lemon, the father of Senator Lemon, 
a man well known to the early settlers of Cen- 
tral Pennsylvania as one of the most enterpris- 
ing and public spirited citizens, located at the 
Summit soon after his marriage, and actively en- 
gaged in the development of coal lands in that sec- 
tion of the State, where a seam of bituminous coal, 
the "Lemon Vein," is named in his honor. At the 
public schools of this place and adjoining towns 
Senator Lemon received his education. He mar- 
ried Barbara Walker, whose parents were born in 
Manheim, Germany, in Octo-ber, one thousand 
eight hundred and sixty. 

Early in life John A. Lemon embarked in busi- 
ness and soon won a reputation for honesty and 
aibility of which any man might well be proud; 
but the great and ennobling trait of his character 



24 Memorial ResoIiifioii!< anJ AJJressrs. 

which iii;i»h' him I he favorite of the people aiitl 
whieii was in nficr vears the key of his marvelous 
sueeess in ]>o)iii(al life was his boundless geuer- 
osity, his uuassuniinii, unaffected and unostenta- 
tious eliaiity. This was the secret of his j^reat 
j)ersoiuil maunclisin, which, in i)o]itics, broke 
do\\n the hariicis of party lines ami I he domina- 
tion of parly bosses; for, do what they would, the 
leaders of the o](]»osition could not keep their fol- 
lowers from departiuji" from the time honored 
custom of voting the straight ticket, but instead 
they sn|»ported Seiuitor Lemon. 

During the inciinibcncv of General John W. 
(Jeary, as ('io\('iiior of this Commonwealth, which 
embrace(l the six years between the beginning of 
one thousand eight hiimlrcd and sixty-seven and 
one thonsaud eight hundred ami seventy-three, 
Senator Lemon rc^ceived from the former the ap- 
pointment of aid on his slafi'. In om* tlionsaml 
eight hundre<l ami sixty-nine he was ehM-te<l chief 
bui-gess of ] lollidaysburg, and ludd tlu^ ])osition 
until oiu' thousand eight hnmlicd and seventy- 
two, he having in the meantime, in one thousand 
eight hundred and seventy-one, been elected to 
the Stale Senate, and in one thousand eight hun- 
dred and seventy-four, for the short term made 
necessary l;y the ado|)tion of the State' ConstitiT- 
tioii of <iiie tJKMisand eight hundred ami seventy- 
three, contiiming in this capacity until one thou- 
sand eight hundred and eighty, in which year he 
^^"as (dected Audit<»r < Jeueral of t he State, his term 
of «»nice extending from .May, one thousaml eight 
hundreil and eighty-one, to one thousand eight 



Hon. John A. Lemon. 25 



hundred and eighty-four. In one thousand eight 
hundred and eighty-six he was the choice of Blair 
county for Congress from the Twentieth district. 
In one thousand eight hundred and eiglity-eight 
he was once more elected to the State Senate, and 
continued in office until the time of his death. 
While Senator Lemon was an active party worker, 
and was an adherent to the i^rinciples of Lincoln 
and Grant, his conduct as a public official had 
ever for its object the discharge of the duties of 
office for the best interests of his constituents, 
without regard to party lines, and this was one of 
the^ secrets of his unremitting hold on the affec- 
tions of the people; and while he did not as a pub- 
lic official seek to accumulate wealth by manipu- 
lation of power, his sole source of income from his 
official position was the lawful salary of the office, 
and of this, much was dispensed in charity. He 
has left behind him a name as a citizen, a business 
man and a public servant of which his family may 
well be proud, and which will be, as the years go 
by and the giass grows green over his grave, a 
source of honor to remote generations of his pos- 
terity, wliich, after all, is a more glorious record 
on the family escutcheon than emblazoned coats 
of arms that record some claim to distinction by 
reason of the achievements of the brute force of 
the sword on some ensanguined field of conquest 
of the middle ages in the Avorld's history. 

Senator Lemon was buried on September eigh- 
teenth. The funeral services were conducted at 
his late residence by Reverend Doctor Barron, 
pastor of the Presbyterian Church, of Hollidays- 



'in Mi'inorii.l Kesol lit ions anJ Addresses. 

bui'U, jissit^ti'd l)v Jicveiciid Jieeser, of the Lutli- 
enni Clmi-cli. \X liis liiiivc tlie members of Juui- 
ata Lodi^e, No. — V. and A. M., of wliicli order 
he was a worlhy brolliei', ju'i formed the beautiful 
and impress! \(' rit(^s of their fraternity. Besides 
the special commillcc of Senators who were in at- 
temhiiicc, his remains were followed to their last 
resliuji phuc by otlici- Senators and Kepreseuta- 
tives, and mjiny men liiuh in official positions, 
who, by their presence, attested their tribute to 
the memory of tlie departed. To shoAV the high 
esteem in w liidi Scnaloi- Lcinctn was held by his 
fellow low iismcn, all business houses closed and 
woik of ('\('iy kind was suspended during the 
Ik'iu- (it I he Inncial, and all classes of citizens fol- 
lowed hi-, body to the grave. A wddow, one 
brother, ihice sons and four daughters are left to 
mourn the loss of a loving and devoted husband, 
brother and Cat hei-. 

Now, .Air. J'residenl an<l fellow Senators, to 
those of you who were associated Avitli John A. 
T.emon in his luddic life, and knew his many good 
traits of character, I leave the task of doing fur- 
ther tribute to the memory and public service of 
tin- deceased, whose successor I have the honor 
to be. 

A\'itli llalleck, i can sincer(dy say: 

"Green be the tuif aliove thee, 

Friend of my better days; 
None knew thee but to love thee. 

Xor named thee but in praise." 

1 move the ado])tion of the lesolutions. 
Senator ('ritclilield. :\li-. rresi<lent, it is with 
mingled feelings of jdeasnre and sadness that I 



Hon. John A. Lemon. 27 

arise iu my place to saj^ a few words ou this oc- 
casion. It is always a pleasure to speak of the 
virtues of the departed, who in the time they were 
living won our respect and love, and yet it is sad 
to have brought fresh to our memory, as though 
it had occurred but yesterday, the loss of our 
friend and colleague, whose genial nature and 
kindness of heart made him an especial favorite 
with all who knew him. 

This is the fourth time since I became a mem- 
ber of this body six years ago that we have come 
together in special session to speak of the life and 
character of some one of our number who was 
called away. We have before us, constantly, re- 
minders of the frailty of human life, and yet, 
when I remember that out of the comparatively 
small number of members belonging to this 
branch of our General Assembly, all of whom 
came here in the full vigor of manhood, so many 
have passed away in so short a time, my atten- 
tion is called more than ever before to the uncer- 
tain tenure of life and the sad havoc that the 
enemy of our race is making among those around 
me. Doubtless as we sit within this chamber 
to-day the question comes unbidden to the minds 
of many of us, "Who shall be the next to fall into 
that sleep that knows no waking?'' 

John A. Lemon was the only member of the 
Senate witli whom I had any acquaintance when 
I entered this body. I remember well his greet- 
ing the morning I entered the old Senate chamber 
on the hill six years ago. It was warm and cor- 
dial and such as to make me feel that I had at 



28 McDioiiiil Kesolutioiis and Adiiresses. 

least (Hie liiciid aiiioii.u llu- men with whom 1 was 
to he ol'liciallv associated I'oi- the fotii- Years that 
I'ol lowed. 'JMie streiiiitli <d" that friendship iu- 
ei-eased with the years of our service tojiether, and 
I arise in my ]dace to-day not to speak for others, 
hut to pay the tribute of a friend, to the nuunory 
of one whose frieiidshi]) >\as honest and true, a 
friendshij) that will not be foi'iint ten while life and 
reason last. 

1 doubt whether any member of this body en- 
joyed to as full an extent as did Senator Lemon 
the jiood will <»f all of his colleagues. Not one 
word was ever heard uttered by any of his asso- 
ciates that Avould imlicate anythinii else than that 
he was held in lii^li esteem by all. To all he was 
known by the familiar name of "Uncle John." 

As a legislator he was faithful and always kept 
close to the peo])le. The district lie represented 
is one in which llieic is a wide diversity of inter- 
ests, and to rei>iesent all fairly without suffering 
some inequality to fall npon one while seeking to 
secure the good of another, requires a thoughtful 
carefuhu^ss that only a few men are capable of 
exercising. How Avell he succeded in this is in- 
dicated by the number ui terms he was called by 
his ])eople to fill the place. His devotion to his 
constituents was ecpialled only by their confidence 
in his integrity. He knew no distinction between 
the high and the low, or the rich or the poor. To 
him all men of prf»])er conduct Avere equal, and his 
heart ami hand Avere ever open to the suffering 
and nnfoi-tnnate. 

With the business capacity he possessed he 



Hon. John A. Lemon. 29 



might have been, had he been less generous, a rich 
man, but it is said of him by those wlio Ivuew him 
best, that there was never a time wlien he was not 
ready to divide liis hist dollar with a needy 
brother. 

The esteem in which he was held by the people 
of the community in which hp lived was attested 
by the fact that those of us who attended his 
funeral found every place of business in the city 
closed and the whole city draped in mourning. 

In his political aspirations he was alw^ays suc- 
cessful, because his success did not depend upon 
political manipulations, Avhich may succeed or 
fail, but the people were with him, and no polit- 
ical opponent was ever able to overcome the loy- 
alty to their friend and favorite. 1 remember 
engaging in conversation, about a year before his 
death, with a gentleman from his own county 
concerning his remarkably successful career, and 
he said to me that although he did not belong to 
the same political party to which Senator Lemon 
belonged, lie iiad always supported him every 
time he had been a candidate. "I learned to know 
and love him," said he, "when I was a boy, and 
can remember acts of kindness he performed for 
my father, who was a ])oor man, when I was a. 
child." 

It ^A'as not my privilege to know Senator Lemon 
in his home, but he frequently spoke to me of his 
family and always in such a way as to satisfy me 
of his devotion to those to whom he bore the 
sacred relation of husband and father. Our 
hearts go out in sympathy to the inmates of that 



30 Memorial Resolutions and Addresses. 



h(»iii(' t«i-(l:iv. I (1(» not ciiNv iIk' stoicism or in- 
dilTcrciicc of ilic iii.Mii wiio (Iocs not )iio\ii-ii with 
those w ho iiioiini, or who cannot niiiiiih' his tcais 
with llu' icais (»!' ilmsc who weep, and so, with 
those who knew niv (h'pailed fiicinl the best; 
anil h»\('il him most, I Itow niv head in sor- 
row and wait for the i-eveiation oT that (hiy when 
the itilui-imauc of time sliall ch»se; when all the 
]<iml associations of \ii-tnons love shall he fe- 
/slored; when llial which is mortal sh ill be clothed 
Avith imnioiialil V, ami when lie who came to earth 
t(» teach ns how to live and w ho entered the grave 
to show ns that it leads away from suffering an<l 
gri(d', shall receive the sorrowing ones of earth 
into those mansions he has gone to prepare in the 
I'at her's house (»n high. 

Mr. rresident, i heartily emlorse the res(dn- 
ti(»ns. 

Senator Saylor. Mr. rresident, as one of the 
lu'w incoming members of the Senate of Pennsyl- 
vaina of the session of 1S1).~), T consider it a duty 
as well as a pleastii-e to speak a few words com- 
niemlal<try of the noble chaiacter of onr departed 
brother. ( >f the many tiaits of his most noble 
eliaractei- wcic his (iniet, tinasstiming manner, his 
gentle dis|.osit ion, Iiis kindiu'ss of heart and his 
kind wofds and a<ts. lie was always ready to 
extend to his fidlow members a friendly hand. It 
is trne of him when 1 say that the solicitation 
which he always showed for a m-w m<'mber was 
most commemlable, ami, as has been said by some 
of the ne'inbei's wli(» ha\'e pfeceded me in their 
remarks on this occasion, a new member tVdt that 
if ther(^ was om' member of the Senate to whom 



Hon. John A. Lemon. 31 

lu' could look for a friend, it was Senator Lemon, 
and his kindness of heart and consideration for 
that new memiber were, as it were, a finger-board 
pointing the way — made him feel as a traveler 
feels traveling a new and unknown road when he 
sees a finger-board pointing the way. His death 
is a stern and forcible reminder of the duty Ave 
OAve ourselves and our fellow-nu^n, and we can 
render no greater or higher duty to them and our- 
selves than to follow or emulate his example. In 
the words of a celebrated divine we should re- 
member that the "loom of life never stops, for the 
pattern that is weaving wlien the sun goes down 
will be weaving when it comes up on the morrow, 
and he who is false to present duty drops a thread 
in the loom and he may discover the flaw when 
he has forgotten the cause." If we wish to occupy 
a place in the memoiy of those who by kind provi- 
dence shall be permitted to linger here a little 
longer than us when deatli has called us to our 
eternal home, let us emulate the noble character 
and the nmny virtues of our deceased brother. 

I heartily and feelingly endorse the resolutions. 

Senator Walton. ^Ir. President, I am glad to 
join with my fellow Senators in ofl'ering a tribute 
of respect to him in whose honor these services 
are held to-day. When one has deserved well of 
his State; has hcuiestly and faithfully worked for 
its interests; has laboriously and conscientiously 
performed his duties as a member of this body, it 
is fitting that we should turn aside for at least a 
few moments from the duties of the hour and 
place on perpetual record our testimonials of re- 
spect, affection and esteem. 



a-2 Memorial Kesoliitious aiul Addres<^es. 

J I is I lie l;isl jMlhlic S(l\irc \\ c rail luiulcl' fitj- 

liim; it is a sciNicc our <leceased Meud iiud 
hroilicr well iiiciil cd; we can, therefore, perform 
il not as a iiific iiiaMci- (tf ciistoni, form or dulv, 
lail iK'causc his idcasaiil, uciiial (lis})<)siti()ii, bis 
Uiiiiliicss of licai-i, his iiiiciii-il V, his fait hfiiliies-; 
ill I he (lischariic ol' his duly, render il Tor him a 
jiisl due, and for us a consolation, hut sad pleas- 
ure. 

My accpiaiulaiice wilh him heuau willi Ihe ses- 
sion of oiii' ihoiisaiid eii;]ii hundred and ninety- 
five, upon my lirsl inli-odnclioii into this body. 
He seemed to icalize at once, as all did who were 
then iKM-e, that 1 was a stran<>ev, without the help 
that comes from stroiii; |»ersonal friendship, polit- 
ical ]»resti_iii' and ])ractical exi»erience in matters 
of leiiislation. Tiie kindness and courtesy that 
was then so Licneroiisly uixcii me by onr departed 
friend and brother, as w(dl as by every other mem- 
ber of tliat body, will linj^cr in my memory so 
loiiii as that memory shall last, lie had loiiii ex- 
p(M-ieiice in ]»ublic life, and lo his constituents he 
was always faithful and true. 

()!' his liiiiher relat ionshi]>s, as husband and 
father, 1 know not of, and, therefore, cannot sjieak. 
If he had faults 1 knew tlu'iii not, but \ <lo know 
that he had a broad, iLiciieroiis charily for the 
faults of others, if he (d)ser\('d them, it Avas lo 
excuse rather Ihan admonish. The coldness of 
calculal iii.u' sellishness was foreign to his soul, 
and those i>reeii-eyed luonslers, jealousy and en\y, 
looke(l not out from his heart. \or did his affe*-- 
liiui lor I'lieiids lind its orii^in in coiisciruis weak- 



Hon. John A. Lemon. a3 

uess and depeudciue. It was latlier the impulse 
of a heart as gentle as it was brave, as noble as 
it was fearless and true. His bearing among men 
was a most admirable commingling of unassum- 
ing modesty and knightly courtesy, while his 
kindly smile, the sunshine from his soul, and the 
frank, cordial manner of his address carried a 
mesmeric influence to all with whom he came in 
contact, and won for him the friendship and con- 
fidence of all who knew him. He realized that 
the great touchstone of life, human happiness, is 
found alone in the happiness of others. 

As a legislator he was broad, liberal and pro- 
gres'sive. Hence it is that this great State through 
its representatives takes such pride in recounting 
his virtues and perpetuating their nlemor3^ 

Comfort and consolation for the sorrowing fam- 
ily we offer here to-day from sympathizing hearts. 
We cannot dry the tears from their eyes, but the 
kindly words so sincerely offered will shine 
througli tliem and picture on their future skies 
a rainbow of hope and promise for many a bright- 
ening day. 

The sorrow that has enshrouded their hearts 
since his death, and darkens their happy hours, 
broadens and deepens to-day into a State's sorrow. 
The extremes of our grand Commonwealth 
touched with grief come with flowers redolent of 
richest perfume. From the cultivated gardens of 
the East and the wilds of the West, I beg leave, 
as . the humble representative from the extreme 
Southwest, to place upon his bier a single flower, 
bedewed with tears of sympathy, breathing fra- 
8 



3-4 Memorial Kesoliitiojis diui AJJiesses. 

liraiicc I'l-csli riuiii till- loltv iii(tiiiil;iiiis (if l-'nvclte 
;lli(l 1 lie \('l-(l;ilil li i 1 Is of in v ttwii li;H i \ c ( J rccllc. 

Let US liopc iiinl liiisl tli:i( when his hri<;lit liis- 
ti<ms eves closed ih.wii in dealii, shutting out 
fioni his view the lovinj;' scenes ol' this life, that 
iliev iniinedialc ly (ipened u]) ujnain in a brijiiitei'' 
and hettei- \\(»i-id, I here l(t shine like the stars for- 
ever and foreNcr. 

The IM-esident ])r(> teni]M)re, Mr. McC'arrell. The 
Chairs hei^s leave to record his rei:ard for the late 
Senator \'\<)\\\ Illair. I add my tesiiuKtuy to that 
of my colleaiiiies to the cordial i;reeting- and the 
generous manner with whiih he always met a 
newcomer into the Senat<' chandler. 1 heartily 
endorse all that has been said in reiiard to him, 
and I fe(d sure that the recording ang(d who takes 
note of the motives and conduct of men in this 
lif(^ will hasten to write after the name of '^Tncle 
John Lemon" "he htxcd his fellow man."" 

The (|uestion is ujion the adoption of the reso- 
lution. 

Senator (lohiu. ^Ir. rresident, I call for tlie 
yeas and nays. 

Senator ( 'rouse. Mi-. T resident, 1 second the call. 

'I'lie President pi-o tenii)ore. The yeas and nays 
lia\ing l)eeii duly called foi', the Clerk will proceed 
with t he call. 

YEAS. 

^Messrs. Andr<'ws, liecker. Brown (Lawrence), 
lirown (IMnlad(d])liia), P>rown (Westmoreland), 
Chisolm, Critchliehl, ( 'rouse, Gobin, Haines, Hard- 
eid>ergli, Ileitzler, IhiinuK 1, Kauffman, Mc()uown, 



Hon. John A. Lemon. 35 



Meredith, Merrick, Miller, Mitchell (Jefferson), 
Mover, McCarrell, Osbourn, Saylor, Scott, Shortt, 
Sproiil, Stiles, StinemaD, Thomas, Vare, Vaughan, 
Walton and White— 33. 

NATS. 

None. 

APSENT AND NOT VOTING. 

Messrs. Cochran, Coyle, Crawford, Durham, 
Eby, Flinn, Gibson, Grady, Heller, Hyde, Ken- 
nedy, Losch, Magee, Milleisen, Mitchell (Brad- 
ford), Eowland and Snyder — 17. 

So the question was determined in the afSrma- 
tive. 

MEMORIAL PROCEEDINGS TO BE PRINTED. 

On leave given at this time Senator Stiles of- 
fered the following resolution: 

The resolution was read by the Clerk as follows: 

Eesolved (if the House concur), That five hun- 
dred copies of the memorial proceedings of the 
Senate upon the death of John A. Lemon, late 
member of the Senate for. the Thirty-fifth Sena- 
torial district, be printed and bound in cloth fcir 
the use of the Senate. 

Senator Mc(^i()wn. Mr. President, I desire 
to amend the resolution by making it one thou- 
sand five hundred copies instead of five hundred 
copies. 



no 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 

014 209 476 9 

Afemoricil Resolutions and Addresses. 



J lie (jiiostion beiiij;, 
\\ ill \\\i} Senate ai>Tee to the ameiKlnient? 
it was ai>re(Hl to. 
The (juetitiou then beinj:;, 

Will the Seriate a,i>Tee to the resolution as 
amended? 

It was nnaniniouslj agreed to. 

ADJOURNMENT. 

The President pro tempore. The business for 
which this special session was called having been 
coiiclndcd the Senate stands adjr)nrned until 
to-nioirow niornini>- at eleven o'clock. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



ll llll 
014 209 476 9 ♦ 



Hollinger Corp. 
pH 8.5 



